Dan Wright appointed as Seventh Judicial Circuit associate judge

Sangamon County State's Attorney Daniel K. Wright has been selected as a Seventh Judicial Circuit associate judge.

The announcement came from the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts website.

Wright, 44, will fill the slot left vacant after the death of Associate Judge Matthew Maurer. Maurer, 62, died at his Springfield home on July 23.

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Maurer was selected as an associate judge in 2013. He had been the first assistant state’s attorney.

Meanwhile, Sangamon County board chairman Andy Van Meter said he intended to nominate former Sangamon County State's Attorney John C. Milhiser to fill Wright's spot. That would happen at the county board meeting Nov. 14.

Van Meter said his office was working with Presiding Circuit Judge Ryan Cadagin so both appointments coincide "ensuring that there is a continuity in services."

Wright will be assigned to the family division.

"I thank the people of Sangamon County for allowing me to serve them as State's Attorney," said the Alton native, in a text. "It has been the honor of a lifetime to work alongside so many dedicated public servants, tireless advocates and engaged citizens for the benefit of all people in our community. Humbled by the opportunity to continue my career as a judge, I will embrace that role committed to the highest level of integrity, impartiality and respect for all participants in our judicial system."

A Republican, Wright was appointed state's attorney in 2018 succeeding Milhiser, who had been appointed U.S. attorney for the Central District of Illinois by then-President Donald Trump.

Wright joined the state's attorney's office as a felony assistant state's attorney in 2016. He was promoted to first assistant state's attorney in 2017.

In 2020, Wright defeated Democratic challenger and Springfield attorney Mike Drake to hold on to the office.

Wright began his law career as a partner at the Springfield firm of Brown, Hay & Stephens.

Six others were also vying for the vacancy: Andrew Affrunti, Montgomery County state's attorney and a former Sangamon County prosecutor; Rex Gradeless, administrative law judge at Illinois Department of Employment Security; Ali Nicole Mikels, a Springfield attorney; Kateah M. McMasters, assistant corporation counsel for the city of Springfield; Lorelei G. Nickols, assistant attorney general and Abby L. Sgro, a Springfield attorney.

Associate circuit judges are appointed to four-year terms, so Wright's term would be up in 2027.

The Seventh Circuit covers Greene, Jersey, Macoupin, Morgan, and Scott counties, in addition to Sangamon.

Cadagin said the 12 circuit judges vote on associate judges. There are 10 associate judges.

Wright was recommended by the Illinois State Bar Association.

Cadagin said Wright's private practice experience and his criminal and civil work was "impressive."

"We see Dan every day in court," Cadagin said. "We're very familiar with his work ethic and (judicial) temperament."

Milhiser returned to the office to prosecute felony cases on a part-time basis in early July. He served as state's attorney from 2010 to 2018, twice winning reelection.

The 53-year-old Milhiser resigned as U.S. attorney in February 2021 after Joe Biden defeated Trump in the November 2020 presidential election. It is not unusual for U.S. attorneys to leave their posts shortly after a new president from the opposing party takes office.

In the June 2022 GOP primary for Illinois secretary of state, the Richard Irvin-backed Milhiser lost to former state Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington. Former state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias defeated Brady in the general election.

Van Meter said Milhiser was the obvious choice.

"He is more than qualified for the position and is well-respected by all those in our criminal justice system and in the community on whole," Van Meter said. "John overwhelmingly won election as state's attorney two times, showing strong and widespread support from the residents of Sangamon County."

One candidate has already announced he is jumping into the race for state's attorney.

Springfield attorney Kent Gray, who has spent more than two decades in private practice and formerly served as chairman of the Lincoln Land Community College board of trustees, will enter the Republican primary.

Candidates can file petitions Nov. 27 to Dec. 4 ahead of the March 19, 2024, primary. The general election is Nov. 5.

Wright is a 2004 Saint Louis University School of Law graduate who received his undergraduate degree from Illinois College in Jacksonville.

Wright has an annual salary of $197,436 per county records. Associate judges make $222,661 annually.

He and his wife, Emily, have four children.

Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788; sspearie@sj-r.com; X, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Sangamon County state's attorney Dan Wright appointed circuit judge